Anniversary of 1906 San Francisco earthquake

April 18, 2012 will mark the 106th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Three of the four known living survivors of the quake were in attendance at the annual ceremony at Lotta's Fountain, the intersection of Market, Geary and Kearny. The gathering marked a moment of silence before sirens wailed at 5:12 a.m., the moment the earth shook and set off the fire that would destroy most of the city.

In this photograph, a firefighter is seen rescuing people from a building destroyed after the quake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of souvenir hunters after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of houses built on loose or made ground after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a ruined tower of City Hall damaged by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a typical bread line in the early stages of relief distribution after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the area near Jackson, Mason, Embarcadero and Pine Streets after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a typical street kitchen after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the west front of the New Chronicle Building showing damage by the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Union Street Car Line after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a camp in Golden Gate Park under military control after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of St. Francis Hotel showing the clean sweep of fire in the business section after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a fire partially under control after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of people leaving the city after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a typical bread line in the early stages of relief distribution after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Market Street looking west from Montgomery Avenue after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a military camp on the fourth day after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a group cooking on a stove in the street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the Kearny and Grant Avenue area south of Bush Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the Nob Hill ruins of Hopkins Art Institute and Stanford's mansion after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

A view from Stockton Street from Union Square, looking toward Market Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a Jewish synagogue and masonic temple after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the Sullivan Contracting Company, possibly at Bush and Stockton Streets or Post Street, after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

The large building shown in this photograph is the Albert Pike Memorial Masonic hall on Geary Boulevard near Fillmore Street.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the area east from Kearny Street to San Francisco Bay after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the United States Signal Corps telegraph office after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of two buildings near Montgomery Avenue and Market Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the ruins of San Francisco, still smoldering after the 1906 earthquake, taken from the tower of the Union Ferry Building.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Market Street between Third and Fourth Streets after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Van Ness Avenue at Vallejo Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Third and Market Streets after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a typical hot meal kitchen after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of souvenir hunters after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of an area west of Taylor Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of stakes where bodies were temporarily buried after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of Grant Avenue looking south toward Market Street after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the city streets on fire after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of the Valencia Hotel after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Over 50 people supposed to have lost their lives.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of refugees after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of men restacking 9,000 pounds of flour bags after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a court house in Redwood City after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

In this photograph, Major C. A. Devol is seen here. He was in charge of food supplies for the earthquake relief.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a high school in Redwood City after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Photograph of a bird's-eye view of the Ferry Building after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

Landscape photograph of San Francisco during the Earthquake and Fire of 1906.

Credit: U.S. National Archives

A survivor from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake participates in the annual painting of a fire hydrant at 20th and Church St. which provided water to fight the fire after the big quake on April 18, 2012.